A survey of attitudes towards patient substance abuse and addiction in the Emergency Centre

R.R. Kalebkaa, S.R. Bruijnsa, D.J. van Hoving

Abstract

Introduction

Hospitals across South Africa are inundated with patients suffering from conditions associated with substance abuse. It is inevitable that contact with health services be made through an emergency centre at some point. This study aims to assess the exposure and attitudes of emergency physicians to substance abuse and addiction in major South African academic emergency centres.

Methods

A prospective survey based on the Substance Abuse Attitude Survey was conducted in a convenience sample of 85 emergency physician registrars and junior consultants in the Western Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Respondents were targeted during academic meetings and by post. The survey consisted of a brief demographic questionnaire and tested agreement of 50 statements using a Likert scale. Five pre-defined attitude subgroups were evaluated: permissiveness, non-stereotypes, treatment intervention, treatment optimism and non-moralism.

Results

There was an 81% (n = 69) response rate with the bulk of the response from the Western Cape. Despite receiving very little formal instruction in addiction and substance abuse, a majority of emergency physicians were in daily contact with substance abuse related cases. The respondents scored high in the treatment optimism and intervention criteria showing a positive and constructive approach to addiction and substance abuse. There was a homogenous response to the non-moralism, non-stereotype and permissive criteria questions. The vast majority of emergency physicians were in favour of brief interventions in the emergency centre assuming the existence of adequate resources.

Conclusions

South African emergency physicians consider addiction and substance abuse as a treatable illness and recognize the importance of a holistic approach in its management. Although the willingness to initiate therapeutic measures in the emergency centre exists, more training in this field may be beneficial.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X12001188

 Results from the Fall 2008 National Study of Public Attitudes toward Addiction

Thank you so very much!!!

Dear Vice ,

I have used the instrument of Seaman Manello

NURSES' ATTITUDES TOWARD ALCOHOL AND ALCOHOLISM

The Impact of an Educational Programme in Brief Interventions for Alcohol Problems on Undergraduate Nurses’ knowledge acquisition and attitude change: A Brazilian Context

Journal of Addictions Nursing & Volume 26 & Number 3, 129 - 135

and also Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire

 We used another scale in this study, but you can have a look at it. You might find some useful refs inside it

Article Assessing understandings of substance use disorders among No...

 Here is the actual survey with link to validation articles (in addition to the above). 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16110223

http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/adb/10/1/38/

I would look at Sarah Wakeman (Harvard/MGH) publications on stigmatization of addiction and the references in them.  In particular, an article in American Journal of Public Health circa 2013 and subsequent materials.  

 Thank you all so very much :) you've all been really helpful x

Hi do you have the article please? as I dont have access to it

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Shanice - I would also look at the work of Prof Jo Neale, a colleague of mine at the National Addiction Centre in the UK (KCL, Dept of Addictions/Addiction Medicine). There is also a standard NHS survey on this I believe which may be of some use.

Sorry my iPhone ResearchGate App published this answer about a dozen times - and it won't let me delete it. Apologies to everyone. Happy holidays!